Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is when a person's breathing syncs with their heart rate; so when they breathe in, the heart rate increases, and when they breathe out, the heart rate decreases.

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA)

The parasympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" functions. Its activation is associated with normal functioning under relaxed conditions, conserving energy and overseeing routine operations like digestion.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Short-term Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) interventions have multiple physiological effects including the following:
- Increased Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA)
- Increased Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Recent research projects suggest shorter mindfulness-based stress reduction MBSR programs (educational therapy programs that promote mindfulness to help reduce stress over a fewer amount of weeks and days) can be just as effective as the established 8-week MBSR program. 


Short-term Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Ditto, B., Eclache, M., & Goldman, N. (2006). Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 32(3), 227-234.

Short-term Autonomic and Cardiovascular Effects of Mindfulness Body Scan Meditation

Short-term MBSR can be used to help different populations, including:

- Non-clinical, working populations
- Undergraduate Students
- Adolescents in High School with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients

Short-term Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Intervention Populations

Short-term mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) interventions are effective in a number of settings including, but not limited to, the following:
- High school classes

Short-term Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Intervention Settings

Because research in this area is relatively new, there is no set short-term MBSR program established. Instead, researchers create their own short programs incorporating different MBSR techniques. These programs are as follows:
- 6 Week Program
- 5 Week Program
- 4 Week Program
- 1 Week Program
- Single Mindfulness Session

Variations of Short-term Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Interventions

Physiological Effects of Short-term Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Interventions

Short-term Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) interventions have multiple psychological effects including the following:
- Increased Coping Flexibility


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